RPA directly stimulates Mer3 helicase processivity to ensure normal crossover formation in meiosis - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Meiosis
- #Helicase
- #DNA Repair
- RPA directly stimulates Mer3 helicase processivity to ensure normal crossover formation in meiosis.
- Mer3 (HFM1 in humans) is essential for promoting crossovers and ensuring their proper distribution.
- Replication protein A (RPA) is identified as a direct interactor of budding yeast Mer3, a conserved interaction in humans.
- Cross-linking mass spectrometry and AlphaFold2 reveal a conserved and specific Mer3-RPA interface.
- Single-molecule magnetic tweezers assays show RPA interaction is required for Mer3 helicase processivity under low DNA tension.
- A mer3 mutant deficient in RPA binding shows reduced crossover frequencies and unresolved recombination intermediates.
- Genome-wide localization experiments link weakened recruitment of the mer3 mutant to double-strand break sites.
- Findings highlight a conserved mechanism for crossover control during sexual reproduction.